Posted by Ellen Ennever on October 03, 2001 at 06:17:46:In Reply to: Why did the WTC towers collaspe so quickly? posted by Luke Ritson on October 01, 2001 at 12:38:57:
Hello Luke
The core of the WTC were made of a steel meant to withstand a lower burn temperature than was the case on Sep 11. Also the curtain walls were connected to the core in a lattice arrangement. I don't know the technical terms but as the heat of the fires grew greater, not only did superheated air expand in the buildings but the steel in them at the impact points was weakening at the same time. A critical point was reached when the steel failed, the outer walls exploded and the tops of each building fell almost straight onto the floors below the burn areas.The first tower seemed to fall at a slight angle because the jet hit at an offset. It is my belief the terrorists knew which point to hit the buildings to cause a collapse. Too high may not have resulted in a collapse and maximum casualities. Lower was not practical because of surrounding high buildings. It is a terrible thing to contemplate, but I believe they surveyed the most damaging route from the towers themselves at some stage. After all, what could be more natural than a tourist with a DVD camera taking pictures from the top of the towers?
Its a terrible subject, and my sympathies must go to all the bereaved and the people still working there; it must be an awful job.Regards
EE
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